Lidl-Trek goes for clean sweep, Visma's upcoming talent Nordhagen impresses again: "One of the 4 best climbers"

The stage race in Germany is an important one for the Lidl-Trek men. This is because the main sponsor, Lidl, is the race's sponsor, and the company is of German origin. That is why the team's riders want to show their skills. Milan's win in the prologue and first stage in line was already going superbly, and Friday Pedersen's win was added to that. "Today was more my day than a day for him," the stage winner explains why he and not Milan crossed the line first. "With Lidl as our main sponsor, of course, we want to win as much as possible here, and we managed to do that again today."

Although the peloton is not struggling under the heat that the Vuelta peloton has to endure, it is also challenging for the riders in Germany, with temperatures touching 30 degrees. "It's not very hot, but if you haven't kept cool properly during the day, it can hit surprisingly," Pedersen says. "You die slowly, so to speak; you never know when you'll get the hit.' For that reason, it was also essential to race constantly at the front."

The final loop suited Pedersen like a glove. "A lap with a climb like this suits me perfectly, so close to the finish." Nevertheless, it was a tricky sprint. I wasn't sure I was going to win either. I saw Johannessen (Tobias Halland, ed.) coming on the left and thought, oh f*ck, now he's coming. Fortunately, though, he also crashed into the wall." Pedersen and Lidl-Trek are highly ambitious for the remainder of the stage race. "Winning all stages was the goal prior, and it still is."

Now that Pedersen is in the lead, he is also aiming for the overall victory. "Yes, I'm looking at the GC with one eye. Beforehand, that was kind of the goal as well. So I'm going to try to hold on to my lead." To secure that overall victory, Pedersen must survive two more stages. Saturdays are already challenging, especially in the early and middle stages. "Tomorrow will be super tough. Fortunately, we have a lot of power and horsepower in the team. With all that power, we can straighten out lopsided situations if I pass on the climbs."

Although Lidl-Trek ran off with the prizes, Visma | Lease a Bike could also reflect on a solid stage. Italian Dario Belletta, from the Visma | Lease a Bike Development Team, showed himself in the breakaway. After being caught, his teammate and top talent, Jørgen Nordhagen, broke open the race with a strong attack. The 19-year-old Norwegian got in front with three riders but was eventually caught up by a larger group.

"I'm very proud of how we rode," team manager Robert Wagner said on the team site. "Our goal was to get in the breakaway and to go for the mountain jersey. It was a battle to get into the breakaway, but in the end, Dario was in it," continued Wagner, once again impressed by Nordhagen's level. "On the last steep climb, Jørgen showed he is among this race's best four climbers. He was solid, but unfortunately, everything came together. Milan and Thomas (Vader and Gloag, ed.) tried in the final but didn't have the legs anymore. I can't blame the guys because they did the race and showed commitment. Tomorrow, we will try again."